Rubin: Nintendo is irrelevant as a hardware manufacturer

Naughty Dog co-founder and former boss of now defunct publisher THQ has written off Nintendo’s position in the hardware business.

"Nintendo is irrelevant as a hardware manufacturer in the console business," Jason Rubin told GameTrailers, as reported by GameRevolution.

He added, however, that the platform holder is a "worldwide treasure" before adding to call for the company to release its IP on rival systems, stating: "It is a crime that we do not play those games on the systems that we have."

The typical counter to this argument is that Nintendo’s vast cash reserves means it is not financially necessitated to embark upon a dramatic rescue plan.

This doesn’t escape the fact that releasing its IP on machines with a far greater sales base would, in turn, lead to far greater software sales.

About MCV Staff

Check Also

Blog header 2026 IG50 [Industry news] Ubisoft backs IG50 Awards as Into Games opens applications for 2026 cohort

[Industry news] Ubisoft backs IG50 Awards as Into Games opens applications for 2026 cohort

UK games charity Into Games has today opened applications for IG50 2026, its annual programme that recognises 50 of the most talented yet-to-be-hired people in UK games from working-class and low-income backgrounds. The announcement comes as Ubisoft joins as the headline sponsor and as Into Games confirms that 11 winners from the previous 2025 cohort have been placed in paid roles in the UK games industry through its Boost placement programme.